Evaluation of psychometric properties of Persian Version of Social Comparisons during chronic illness scale

Background: When a person is under stressful circumstances, such as confrontation with a life-threatening disease, often make comparisons with each other, which can have effects on their psychological and physical well-being. This research aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of Persian version of social comparisons during chronic illness scale. Methods: The study was descriptive with a correlational design. Among the diabetic patients referring to the Goodarz and Sadoghi hospital hospitals of Yazd in 1396, 200 subjects were randomly selected. Validity of this scale was determined by using content, criterion and construct validity methods. In order to assess the construct validity, exploratory factor analysis and calculating the correlation coefficient of factors and items with total score, and to assess of criterion validity, the social support (Sohrabi et al, 2007) and world health organization's WHOQOL-BREF quality of life assessment scales as a criterion were used. Also, the reliability of the scale was evaluated using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Cronbach's alpha coefficient, Pearson correlation coefficient and exploratory factor analysis methods were used and data was analyzed using SPSS version 21software. Results: Negative interpretation and Positive interpretation factors were extracted as using principal components analysis method. The correlation coefficient between the items with the total score was between 0.31 to 0.87, which were significant and confirms coefficients construct validity of the scale. Also, the correlation coefficients between this scale with social support and quality of life were 0.56 and 0.72, which confirmed the criterion validity. Cronbach's alpha coefficients of negative interpretation factor, positive interpretation factor and total scale were found to be 0/98, 0/86, and 0/92 respectively. Conclusion: According to the results of this research, the Persian version of the social comparison scale during chronic illness can be used as a valid and reliable tool for researchers in the field of social comparison in people with chronic disease.